At the 12th session of the Global Ministerial Environment Forum held in Nairobi (Kenya), Mercedes Bresso, president of the Committee of the Regions, highlighted the need for local and regional authorities to be more involved in environmental and sustainable development policy-making and programme implementation at global level.

The Global Ministerial Environment Forum of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) that took place in Nairobi (Kenya) from 20 to 22 February count for the first time with the Committee of the Regions participation. CoR president Mercedes Bresso enjoyed the occasion to present green-economy initiatives devised by European cities and regions.

In addition, the CoR president reminded the sustainable development projects – local Agenda 21 initiatives – adopted by many cities and regions further to the 1992 Rio conference. Furthermore, Ms Bresso reminded that European Green Capitals are working with mayors and leaders around the world within the cities' programme for sustainable and inclusive growth, launched in 2010 by the European Commission.

With regard to the energy sector, Ms Bresso welcomed the launch of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Sustainable Energy for All initiative in Africa. At her meeting in Nairobi with Sha Zukang, Secretary-General of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development, she called for a global platform for sharing good practice to be set up that would involve not just national levels of government, but also local authorities.